--- title: Be Joy-Filled Evangelizers description: You see, evangelization is not the same as proselytization – “inducing someone to convert to one's faith”. When we try and force others to listen to and agree with our point of view or beliefs that is --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/03/26/be-joy-filled-evangelizers#) # Be Joy-Filled Evangelizers Mar 26, 2014 12:00:25 PM  |  by [Erika Marie](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/erika-marie) [![CatholicMom-booknotes-logo1-550x169](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/CatholicMom-booknotes-logo1-550x169-151.jpg?width=550&height=169&name=CatholicMom-booknotes-logo1-550x169-151.jpg)](http://catholicmom.com/2013/08/26/the-transforming-power-of-faith/catholicmom-booknotes-logo1-550x169/) Have you read* [Pope Francis's Apostolic Exhortation - Evangelii Gaudium (Joy of the Gospel)](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1304799239/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1304799239&linkCode=as2&tag=simplemama-20)![](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/ir-276.gif?width=1&height=1&name=ir-276.gif)?* If not, you are substantially missing out on an important soul-stirring experience. ![pope francis joy of gospel](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/pope-francis-joy-of-gospel--550x378.jpg?width=550&height=378&name=pope-francis-joy-of-gospel--550x378.jpg) I heard it was great but still kept putting it off, thinking it might be too difficult to read or that reading it might make me want to change the way I live my life. When I finally broke down and read it I discovered I was wrong about the first and right about the second. Compared to works by Blessed Pope John Paul II and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI , Pope Francis’s first exhortation is fairly easy to read but it definitely makes you want to change your life – which is the whole point of an exhortation, right? If I had to summarize this great work I would describe this exhortation as a call – no, more like an invitation – for *each and everyone* to be joyful missionaries and spirit-filled evangelizers of Christ’s Gospel. But what does that mean and how exactly does Pope Francis propose we do this? Simply put, “To evangelize is to make the kingdom of God present in our world, Jesus wants evangelizers who proclaim the good news not only with words, but above all by a life transfigured by God’s presence.” Like the words often credited to his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis implores us to “preach the Gospel always; use words when necessary.” This is something we have heard often but how much do we actually take it to heart and apply it in our lives. In his exhortation, Pope Francis rightly calls out the problems with a self-righteous approach to evangelization, which happens when we cling to a rigid following of the “rules” and are constantly looking for what people are doing wrong so we can point out their errors. When this happens, he says, “instead of evangelizing, one analyzes and classifies others, and instead of opening the door to grace, one exhausts his or her energies in inspecting and verifying. In neither case is one really concerned about Jesus Christ or others.” You see, evangelization is not the same as proselytization – “inducing someone to convert to one's faith.” When we try and force others to listen to and agree with our point of view or beliefs that isn’t authentic evangelization, it becomes more about proving our own points and being right rather than simply sharing the love and peace of Christ with others. Sure, there is a time for talking about doctrines and dogmas but that only comes after a conversion of heart and openness of the mind. And so again Pope Francis reminds us that our first motives and intentions must be for “…the greater glory of the Father who loves us.” Further, he explains, “We know well that with Jesus life becomes richer and that with him it is easier to find meaning in everything. This is why we evangelize.” And this is why he truly believes *each *of us is called to be evangelizing missionaries. “A true missionary, who never ceases to be a disciple, knows that Jesus walks with him, speaks to him, breathes with him, works with him. He senses Jesus alive with him in the midst of the missionary enterprise.” **How can you be a “spirit-filled evangelizer” in your life?** *Be sure to check out [our Book Notes archive](http://catholicmom.com/category/book-notes/).* *Copyright 2014, Erika Marie* ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F03%2F26%2Fbe-joy-filled-evangelizers%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F03%2F26%2Fbe-joy-filled-evangelizers%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F03%2F26%2Fbe-joy-filled-evangelizers%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Be%20Joy-Filled%20Evangelizers) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F03%2F26%2Fbe-joy-filled-evangelizers%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F03%2F26%2Fbe-joy-filled-evangelizers%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Erika Marie](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contriubutors/ANNEMARIE%20MILLER.jpeg) ### [Erika Marie](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/erika-marie) Erika Marie is a simple Catholic, Wife, and Mama. She relishes snuggles and free time with her family and enjoys reading, writing, blogging, and has a slightly obsessive addiction to creating Canva graphics. Enjoy more reflections by Erika at her personal [simplemama](http://onesimplemama.com/) blog. ## Related Blog Articles [ Five Saintly Quotes for Housework Motivation Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/02/17/five-saintly-quotes-for-housework-motivation) [ How do Catholic Families Have Fun? Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/06/16/how-do-catholic-families-have-fun-giveaway) [ A Mother's Prayer for Summer Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2018/05/17/a-mothers-prayer-for-summer/) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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